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@medinabuckeye1 I think there is a certain psychological phenomenon that occurs when someone "converts" to something, particularly later in life. 

It's seen of course in religion (or losing one's religion). But it's also seen in a lot of other places. Have you ever known someone who became vegetarian or vegan and just won't shut the f&$k up about it? Or joined Crossfit and will tell you how AMAZING it is and how your life will be transformed if you join too? 

I think people have a certain inertia in their choices/beliefs in life, and the amount of lift to overcome that inertia to change is usually very large. And whatever pushes them over that inertia must be powerful enough that they believe others should follow. Because once they "saw the light", they can't understand how others don't see it the same way. 

I don't see this behavior from people raised without religion. I don't see it from people who [based on their ethnic traditions, like many Indian people or Jews/Muslims] were raised not eating meat or not eating meat from particular animals. I don't see it from people who have spent their life with fitness as a hobby. But I see it from people who "change". 

So if you've been raised your entire life in a religious tradition and as you mature you come to the conclusion that everything they told you was a lie, it can cause you to feel betrayed and angry. God is supposed to be the center of your worldview, and you lose belief it even exists. It's an identity-shaking change. And then when religion continues to pervade public life, particularly in political life, and people are trying to make policies that affect you based on their belief in that "lie", it fuels that anger. It can feel like religion is continuing to poke YOU in the eye with that lie. And some people can't get over that, so they react emotionally. 

You're asking the question of why they behave that way, as if they are behaving that way based upon rational reasons. I think you may not be understanding that this behavior is driven by the id. 

Interesting, I do think the "converts" to whatever are often the most outspoken and like to prosetylize (if I can spell that).

For example, I retired, and immediately told everyone in hearing distance how great it is ....

@medinabuckeye1 I think there is a certain psychological phenomenon that occurs when someone "converts" to something, particularly later in life.

It's seen of course in religion (or losing one's religion). But it's also seen in a lot of other places. Have you ever known someone who became vegetarian or vegan and just won't shut the f&$k up about it? Or joined Crossfit and will tell you how AMAZING it is and how your life will be transformed if you join too?

I think people have a certain inertia in their choices/beliefs in life, and the amount of lift to overcome that inertia to change is usually very large. And whatever pushes them over that inertia must be powerful enough that they believe others should follow. Because once they "saw the light", they can't understand how others don't see it the same way.

I don't see this behavior from people raised without religion. I don't see it from people who [based on their ethnic traditions, like many Indian people or Jews/Muslims] were raised not eating meat or not eating meat from particular animals. I don't see it from people who have spent their life with fitness as a hobby. But I see it from people who "change".

So if you've been raised your entire life in a religious tradition and as you mature you come to the conclusion that everything they told you was a lie, it can cause you to feel betrayed and angry. God is supposed to be the center of your worldview, and you lose belief it even exists. It's an identity-shaking change. And then when religion continues to pervade public life, particularly in political life, and people are trying to make policies that affect you based on their belief in that "lie", it fuels that anger. It can feel like religion is continuing to poke YOU in the eye with that lie. And some people can't get over that, so they react emotionally.

You're asking the question of why they behave that way, as if they are behaving that way based upon rational reasons. I think you may not be understanding that this behavior is driven by the id.

Good point. Kinda like ex-smokers and recovering alcoholics being the most annoying people on the planet to current smokers/drinkers.

Good point. Kinda like ex-smokers and recovering alcoholics being the most annoying people on the planet to current smokers/drinkers.

Exactly. 

@medinabuckeye1 I think there is a certain psychological phenomenon that occurs when someone "converts" to something, particularly later in life.

It's seen of course in religion (or losing one's religion). But it's also seen in a lot of other places. Have you ever known someone who became vegetarian or vegan and just won't shut the f&$k up about it? Or joined Crossfit and will tell you how AMAZING it is and how your life will be transformed if you join too?

I think people have a certain inertia in their choices/beliefs in life, and the amount of lift to overcome that inertia to change is usually very large. And whatever pushes them over that inertia must be powerful enough that they believe others should follow. Because once they "saw the light", they can't understand how others don't see it the same way.

I don't see this behavior from people raised without religion. I don't see it from people who [based on their ethnic traditions, like many Indian people or Jews/Muslims] were raised not eating meat or not eating meat from particular animals. I don't see it from people who have spent their life with fitness as a hobby. But I see it from people who "change".

So if you've been raised your entire life in a religious tradition and as you mature you come to the conclusion that everything they told you was a lie, it can cause you to feel betrayed and angry. God is supposed to be the center of your worldview, and you lose belief it even exists. It's an identity-shaking change. And then when religion continues to pervade public life, particularly in political life, and people are trying to make policies that affect you based on their belief in that "lie", it fuels that anger. It can feel like religion is continuing to poke YOU in the eye with that lie. And some people can't get over that, so they react emotionally.

You're asking the question of why they behave that way, as if they are behaving that way based upon rational reasons. I think you may not be understanding that this behavior is driven by the id.

So well said.  But..  you won me over with your more succinctly stated description:  “ASSHOLE”

Man I could believe something like that would happen in California, but Australia?  Wow.

My post wasn't meant as a jab at all.  Just a ho-hum connection between the idea and something unrelated.  I'm not going to alter my (especially) unremarkable posts just to avoid stepping on the toes of religous people. 

If I wanted to offend them and be an actual asshole, I have an avalanche of content for that.  But that's not close to what happened here.
And sorry if I don't agree that playing along with a delusion shows maturity.  Believers aren't 6 year-olds believing in Santa, they're 60 year olds voting in congress.  Fuck that noise.

You can choose to not be like this z 

My post wasn't meant as a jab at all.  Just a ho-hum connection between the idea and something unrelated.  I'm not going to alter my (especially) unremarkable posts just to avoid stepping on the toes of religous people. 

If I wanted to offend them and be an actual asshole, I have an avalanche of content for that.  But that's not close to what happened here.
And sorry if I don't agree that playing along with a delusion shows maturity.  Believers aren't 6 year-olds believing in Santa, they're 60 year olds voting in congress.  Fuck that noise.

You can choose to not be like this z

I choose not to really be the bold part here.  I am, occassionally, elsewhere.  
But I know, I know....better to use hushed tones in the holy echo chamber.